A down and out young punk gets a job working with a seasoned repo man, but what awaits him in his new career is a series of outlandish adventures revolving around aliens, the CIA, and a most wanted '64 Chevy.

Cox's style is a step beyond camp into a comedy of pure disgust; much of the film is churlishly unpleasant, but there's a core of genuine anger that gives the project an emotional validation lacking in the flabby American comedies of the early 80s.

a western [but] also a punk road movie, a conspiratorial cold-war chase caper, a paranoid apocalypse sci-fi, a postmodern mixed "plate of shrimp", a hilarious Eighties satire and a wry lowlife rejoinder to Reagan's upwardly mobile American dream.

A shiftless punk kid takes a job as a car repossesor and finds himself among the many ruthless parties searching for a 1964 Chevy Malibu with a mysterious cargo… MoreA shiftless punk kid takes a job as a car repossesor and finds himself among the many ruthless parties searching for a 1964 Chevy Malibu with a mysterious cargo in the trunk. This gritty punk satire has an appealing wackiness, boosted by sharp dialogue and great roguish performances by Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton.

Jacob Ethington

This film can only be described as inexplicably awesome. Really, I can't think of any other way to describe it. I mean, here's the description this… MoreThis film can only be described as inexplicably awesome. Really, I can't think of any other way to describe it. I mean, here's the description this website has for the film: "A down and out young punk gets a job working with a seasoned repo man, but what awaits him in his new career is a series of outlandish adventures revolving around aliens, the CIA, and a most wanted '64 Chevy." Sound insane? It's because it is. And it's a ton of fun. This is one of those cult films you have to see. Almost as quotable as a Monty Python film and it's one of the best examples in film history where imagination and great performances trump the limitations of a very low budget. It's intense, because the life of a Repo Man is always intense.

Aj V

I love Estevez in this movie, but the story eludes me, it's a weird sci-fi movie that sometimes feels out of place, but sometimes feels awesome too. I… MoreI love Estevez in this movie, but the story eludes me, it's a weird sci-fi movie that sometimes feels out of place, but sometimes feels awesome too. I mostly liked it, but I think I need to watch it over to get the whole story.

Michael Gildea

Repo Man is straight up awesome if for no other reason than giving Harry Dean Stanton top billing. Also the only great thing I can think of that Emilio Estevez… MoreRepo Man is straight up awesome if for no other reason than giving Harry Dean Stanton top billing. Also the only great thing I can think of that Emilio Estevez ever did. Repo Man is also chock full of subtle commentary (pay attention to food and drink labels) and humor, not to mention a great soundtrack. The movie also meanders a little bit but its oddness (case in point, Miller), dialogue (the John Wayne conversation), healthy disrespect for authority and the enjoyable what the fuck ending make sure you hardly notice. Let me put it this way -- I can't stand Alex Cox but I love this movie and can forget he made it. That is the awesomeness of Repo Man.

Chris Weber

This is definitely a product of its time. Alex Cox's debut film is a wild and inventive, albeit messy mix of sci-fi, dark humor, G-Men, and punk rock, and… MoreThis is definitely a product of its time. Alex Cox's debut film is a wild and inventive, albeit messy mix of sci-fi, dark humor, G-Men, and punk rock, and it all revolves around the world of car repossession.
Otto is a young down trodden punk who reluctantly gets a job as a repo man, a job he at first scoffs about, but comes to love, mostly due to the quick cash, and the exciting car chases that result, mostly due to the fact that they're an inescapable aspect of the job.
All seems to be going fine enouh, but he suddenly gets thrust into a mad cap screwball plot that's such a wacky and convoluted mess that it makes fellow cult classic The Big Lebowski seem normal and mainstream by comparison.
The movie is defintiely inventive, and has lots of neat ideas, and, while I can't fault a film in general for trying to be ambitious, I think Cox tried a little too hard and tried to throw too much into the mix with this one. It's all so absurd and weird and really doesn't come together all that great, yet, the film's not boring, and is made better by the performances from Emilio Estevez as Otto, and Harry Dean Stanton as the repo guru Bud. Also, Olivia Barash sticks out as being attractive in a rahter odd way (to me at least). I dunno, it was late at night whe nI watched it, and I was tired, and it seemed like she was more "out there pretty" than "regular pretty".
Anyways, this movie's not great, but it's not a full on train wreck either. It's flawed, yet still kinda fun. If you're into films that defintiely aren't predictable, and have an appreciation for punk, then give this a spin.

Jonathan Hutchings

Harry Dean Stanton is wonderfully reprehensible, and I can see its appeal as a cult film, but Repo Man, for me, isn't nearly as clever as it thinks it is.

xGary Xx

Otto is a white suburban punk in a dead end job, but when he falls in with a crew of disreputable repo men he becomes involved in a conspiracy to cover up the… MoreOtto is a white suburban punk in a dead end job, but when he falls in with a crew of disreputable repo men he becomes involved in a conspiracy to cover up the existence of aliens. This all sounds very sci-fi but Repo Man is pure cult film making, so anyone expecting rayguns or spaceships is going to be utterly bemused. Its formula of oddball characters, bizarre situations, surreal humour and foul mouthed dialogue will be familiar to fans of the Tarantino and Rodriguez school, but Repo Man was made when it was still a kindergarten. This is the film that made me fall in love with Harry Dean Stanton and his hilarious rants are one of the many reasons why this film is so special; even Emilio Estevez is great (and I can't think of one other good film he's been in), as is the rest of the no-name cast. The plot makes no sense, the dialogue often wanders off on bizarre tangents and it's littered with gratuitous swearing and violence, and I love it all the more for it. Add a brilliant soundtrack and you've got the recipe for the ultimate "cult" movie.

El Hombre Invisible

A favorite of mine for personal reasons to include seeing it for the first time late night at the drive-in upon its' release. The year was 1984, a bizarre… MoreA favorite of mine for personal reasons to include seeing it for the first time late night at the drive-in upon its' release. The year was 1984, a bizarre year for many reasons. This film is a complete time capsule that may seem very odd to those lucky enough to not remember the 1980s. A time of bad hair, bad clothes, the rise of new wave pop, the peak of hardcore punk music and that sumbitch Reagan in the White House. What's intriguing about it are the many statements made about where we as people and consumers were headed (and have achieved on some major levels). It's a satire on society and deadpan paranoid science fiction without getting too wrapped up in the details.
Great soundtrack, dark humor, aliens, liquor store hold-ups, car chases, plates of shrimp, two gypsy dildo punks and Harry Dean Stanton. He steals the film as Bud, the repo man whose connection with Otto (Estevez) is sort of a Master and Apprentice relationship. A great movie that deserves its' cult status.
<a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=repoman.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/repoman.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Phil Hubbs

Talk about cult films, this is probably the king of cults, the perfect example of a trashy low grade 80's punk film that incompasses everything from a… MoreTalk about cult films, this is probably the king of cults, the perfect example of a trashy low grade 80's punk film that incompasses everything from a weird B-movie plot to glorious displays of anarchy.
Harry Dean Stanton riding high on his 'Alien' fame still chose to go with this which is curious but shows his respect for director Cox, a true British oddball. The plot is just non sensical really, dead aliens in the trunk of a car that is being driven around by some scientist guy who is slowly going mad from the radiation emitted from the bodies. At the same time Estevez and Stanton are repo men and pinching peoples cars when they hear of this one car and the reward, there isn't really much explanation for backstory here.
I love how this film looks with its grimy low budget vibe and harsh street language hehe you gotta love Estevez's look here too, weird kinda clean cut punk thing going on. The film makes little sense and isn't explained in any fashion, it just happens cos it happens basically, director Cox manages to combine an Ed Wood level of sci-fi with a kind of urban punk ghetto gang theme running through it at the same time. The results are not exactly off the wall but gloriously silly, cheap and somewhat eccentric if you will, the whole thing is kinda like a druggie trip.
Certainly not mainstream and probably not liked by just as many that do and see it as a cult classic. Very unique yet kinda pointless really, there doesn't appear to be any kind of revelation or moral to the story, it just ends on a very tacky looking bit of sci-fi leaving the rest up to you.

paul oh

Its something different. Its original, a mix, and a great away for emilio to go crazy on camera. Its engaging and a cult classic!

Alexis Nomm

it's like Back To the Future meets Cocoon. it's from the 80's and kinda weird (just like me) i thought it was okay. emmmmmmilio!

Conner Rainwater

It's such a funny and bizarre movie for its time, even in the context of the 80s. Only then could you get away with a skinhead turning into a Repo Man and… MoreIt's such a funny and bizarre movie for its time, even in the context of the 80s. Only then could you get away with a skinhead turning into a Repo Man and chasing down an alien car. It has a lot of great subtle elements, like the standardized Food & Drink containers and religious ghost channels. Emilio Estevez was perfect, a complete 360 from his John Hughes routine. It's also got a very 50s sci-fi element to it that really makes it unique. The sarcastic dialogue and message, however, is what sets it apart from mainstream movies.